Melbourne man Sam Krycer has many memories of World War II, along with a special souvenir. The 100-year-old Royal Australian Air Force veteran will lead Melbourne's Anzac Day march on Thursday, along with two other vets, Keith Hearne, 93, and Robert Jeavons, 92. Mr Krycer was a leading aircraftman from 1942 to 1945, posted to the Indonesian island of Morotai, where he was present when the Japanese Army surrendered in September 1945. "He was also fortunate enough to bring home a Japanese sword which he still has to this day," son Colin Krycer said. The centenarian will lead Melbourne's 8.30am Anzac Day march down St Kilda Road, finishing at the Shrine of Remembrance with a commemorative service, as the city remembers the 80th anniversary of the start of WWII. The march will start half-an-hour earlier than in recent years, following a 6am dawn service, which is expected to be attended by many thousands of people. "We did feel that to link the dawn service and the gunfire breakfast to the march, it would be better to have it a little bit earlier," RSL state president Robert Webster told AAP of the new timing. He said the wreath laying would also happen later to make it a more prominent feature of the Anzac Day services. For some Australians the Anzac Day AFL clash between Collingwood and Essendon is the main event of April 25. In 2017 a crowd of more than 87,600 people flocked to the MCG for one of the season's most popular contests, which is traditionally preceded by an Anzac Day service and recognition of Australian war veterans. Australian Associated Press

WWII trio to lead Melbourne Anzac march

Three World War II veterans will lead the Anzac Day march in Melbourne.

Melbourne man Sam Krycer has many memories of World War II, along with a special souvenir.

The 100-year-old Royal Australian Air Force veteran will lead Melbourne's Anzac Day march on Thursday, along with two other vets, Keith Hearne, 93, and Robert Jeavons, 92.

Mr Krycer was a leading aircraftman from 1942 to 1945, posted to the Indonesian island of Morotai, where he was present when the Japanese Army surrendered in September 1945.

"He was also fortunate enough to bring home a Japanese sword which he still has to this day," son Colin Krycer said.

The centenarian will lead Melbourne's 8.30am Anzac Day march down St Kilda Road, finishing at the Shrine of Remembrance with a commemorative service, as the city remembers the 80th anniversary of the start of WWII.

The march will start half-an-hour earlier than in recent years, following a 6am dawn service, which is expected to be attended by many thousands of people.

"We did feel that to link the dawn service and the gunfire breakfast to the march, it would be better to have it a little bit earlier," RSL state president Robert Webster told AAP of the new timing.

He said the wreath laying would also happen later to make it a more prominent feature of the Anzac Day services.

For some Australians the Anzac Day AFL clash between Collingwood and Essendon is the main event of April 25.

In 2017 a crowd of more than 87,600 people flocked to the MCG for one of the season's most popular contests, which is traditionally preceded by an Anzac Day service and recognition of Australian war veterans.